Devotional | ‘Potential Faces the Storm’

As I took this picture, I titled it Potential. So much promise of a dark beautiful flower. But behind me built dark menacing storm clouds in agreement with dire warnings and promises of hail.

So much obvious potential in the emerging flower but would it survive the threatening storm.

Jesus said ‘In this world you will have trouble…’
Who was he talking to? The wicked? The sinner? The Pharisee? Or the saved saint?
I think he was simply stating a universal fact.

The storms of life buffet the good and bad alike. He doesn’t promise a life free of trouble to even his closest followers. Coming to Jesus and walking with him, has never promised ease or even safety. What it does guarantee is His presence is with us… even to the end of the world.

The second part of this verse delivers another promise. But take heart I have overcome the world.

Like that fragile flower who had opened one section of its protective casing not knowing there was a storm, life’s challenges can broadside us unexpectedly
The flower can’t change its mind and pull the doona over its head. Neither can it demand stronger support from its mother plant. It faces the storm with the strength it has, the courage it’s developed as it grew.

The storms of life often broadside us, raging in unexpectedly, leaving us acutely aware of our need of Jesus. It’s too late then for us to suddenly start a journey building spiritual strength.

It’s in these places we access our storehouses. Our life learnings and our character traits burst out.
• Is it faith or fear that rises up?
• Is it grace or grumpiness that bursts forth?
• Is it courage or cowardice that pours out.
• Are we overcomers or go-underers.

Do we have enough preparation to stand and shake our fist at the storm and yell, ‘My Jesus has overcome the world.’ Or ‘by His stripes I am healed.’ The scripture that jumps to our lips automatically because we’ve stored it for such a time as this.

The promise that I’m repeating in this season is ‘Lord you are my strength, You’re my beginning and my end. I know your plans for me are for good, even though the storms rage. What the enemy means for evil you can use it for good. Your good, Lord.’

In this last month as I celebrated the Lord’s generosity to me by giving me 75 years, I’ve also had to face the fact that maybe, just maybe I’m getting old. As I’ve heard it said, ‘old age isn’t for the faint hearted’.

But Gods promises are the same, regardless of my age or my weaknesses. Even if I struggle to remember some things, the Holy Spirit is my helper and he brings to mind what I need.

Here’s a check sheet.

• Do you have enough scripture stored to be able to meet unexpected storms head on?
• Is your relationship with the Lord in such a place you can throw a panicked question and know He will answer?
• Have you moved all blockages between you and Him by repentance and then walking with him day by day?
• Have you accepted His extravagant gift of forgiveness or do you still allow a burden of guilt to weigh you down?
• Have you embraced His plan for your life or are you still kicking, wanting your way?

After years of heated debate with God I have finally accepted his way is the best way. There are two main answers I hear. ‘I AM.’ That phrase eliminates all arguments. ‘I’ve chosen a different path for you.’ He is sovereign and wonderful. Like that beautiful flower I bloom as well as I can. The rest is up to Him.